A440 Standard - SHIFT OF LOCATION?

[Mike and Jane Spalding]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: David Skolnik <skolnik@attglobal.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, March 04, 2002 2:04 AM
Subject: Re: A440 Standard - SHIFT OF LOCATION?


snip> 
> What I miss in these discussions is the historical perspective.  I know 
> it's out there, I just don't have the information.  Clearly, A440 is as 
> arbitrary a standard as A438, or A435, or any historical pitch, not to 
> mention the highly elevated British Military Concert Pitch.  (This, unless 
> you share the belief of some that 435, or Verdi pitch is directly derived 
> from the vibrations of the universe.)
> 
> Can anyone refer me to source material regarding the establishment of pitch 
> standards during the last 200 - 300 years?
> My limited education would necessitate such material being in English.
> 
David

Take a look at 
http://www.mozartpiano.com/pitch.html
This is a paper by Ed Swenson, RPT, on the history of pitch.  Several other interesting historical papers at his site.

hope this helps

Mike Spalding